Grover Cleveland “Cleve” Franks Jr.

Grover Cleveland “Cleve” Franks Jr., 88, Airport Drive Village, passed from this life to the next at his home at 4:45 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 1, 2012.

Grover Cleveland “Cleve” Franks Jr., 88, Airport Drive Village, passed from this life to the next at his home at 4:45 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 1, 2012.

Born Sept. 7, 1924 in Picher, Okla., he was the son of the late Grover Cleveland Franks, Sr. and Bessie Marie Price Franks. A U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II, he served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. He worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. in Land Line Service. He also served as Pastor for multiple Christian Churches in Joplin and surrounding areas. He and his wife participated in Airstream Rallies and Clubs, traveling extensively in North America after his retirement.On Aug. 29, 1943 he married Betty Lu Wright at the Franks family home in Granby. Together they enjoyed 69 years of marriage and she survives.